Collapsible structure



Jung 27, 1944. H, A, FARRAND v2,352,526

COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE original Filed March 1'6, 193s 2 Sheets-sheet@ June 27, 1944. A FARRAND 2,352,526

i COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE Original Filed Mafch 16,' 1939 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 27, 1944 OFFICE ooLLAPsIBLE s 'rRUoriUitEv Hiram A. Farrand, Berlin, N. H.

Original application March 16, 1939, Serial No.' 262,324. Divided and this application October 23, 1941, Serial No. 416,255

i claims. (ci. 18e-37) This invention relates to a specic form of collapsible structure originally disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 262,324, filed March 16, 1939, of which the present application is a division.

The structure of the present case includes a longitudinally collapsible and extensible formation composed of two or more coilable, exible, concave-convex strips of longitudinally tapering character, maintained in the extended formation as a tubular structure, with the concave faces of the component strips facing inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the extended structure byindependent detachable encircling bands spaced apart longitudinally of the extended structure, as distinguished from the extended formations of the said copending application wherein the side edges of the component coneavo-convex strips are parallel to each other and are maintained in extended formation by a system of interconnected brace elements.

` The object of the present invention is to `provide a collapsible structure ofthe type noted, wherein the confining bands will successively and automatically assume embracing positions separately, in spaced relation to each other longitudinally of the extended structure, as extension of the structure from a collapsed state progresses, and which will also completely and automatically detach themselves successively in reverse order from their embracing position to release the component strips for separation thereof, for inde- -pendent storage, as collapse of the structure from an extended form progresses.

Another object 0f the invention is to provide automatic means for insuring rm embracing contact of the independent brace members about the component strips as the extension of the structure progresses.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fragmentary Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the structure collapsed and retracted into the housing;

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the structure partially extended from the housing;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 4, and

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a modification of the invention.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the collapsible-structure I comprises apair of flexiblestrips 2, 2, which are composed of spring material, preferably high-carbonr steel ribbons, normally nonplanar in their transverse direction.v The opposite' longitudinal edgesoi the strips I, I are tapered or convergent. As shown in FigsfZA and 4, the wide ends of fthe tapered strips lie within a vertical floor-stand or housing Ill, and the small ends, forming the extremity of the projected structure, are join'ed'tog'ether and to a bracket II, which latter is adapted to support, for example, a circular tray I2. As shown inthe drawings, the two strips 2, 2 are similar in shape and size and lie, when extended, with vtheir concave surfaces facing one another,` i. e.,

inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the composite structure I, with their smooth continuous edges 3, 3 in abutting relation throughout their lengths, thus forming the tapering tubular structure I. l

Y Surrounding thetapering tube I is a series of bands 5, 5 which are disposed at intervals along the length of the tube I. Each band 5 is oi such shape and dimensions as to closely fit the tube I at its particular location therealong, thereby holding the two strips 2, 2 in a tightk embrace. Thus, the entire structure, as extended, forms one whole composite arm, strut or cantileverbeam, which supports the tray or any other desired appliance, etc., at its extreme end.

Obviously, the opening 4 .in eachring differs in size from all the other rings and ts the tube Ik only at its own particular-place lalong vthe length of the tubular formatiori.-A As will be seen by referring to Figs. 2A-M2B,v the extended portions of strips 2, 2 may constitute only a fractional part of the total respective lengths ofthe strips 2, 2,' and a further portion of each stripmay be stored within the hollow interior of the Vertical floor-stand or housing I0, where such unextended portions remain inreadiness-to move out to pick up and form, with othersuccessive rings 5, 5-an additional length of the composite arm.

The unused rings 5, 5 are stacked vin readiness in front of a head plate I3 of the housing I0 to join and embrace the strips A5, 5 with which they move out in succession, each being carried forward when its particular point onY the tapered tube I becomes wedged withinpits embrace.

The conical formation of the assemblage of detached rings or bands 5, 5 in frontvof head plate I3, is the result of the progressive dimensional relationship of the openings 4, 4of the rings. Each ring is of such a size in relation to its neighbors that it cannot pass throughv the orifice 4 of its next larger neighbor andthe. larg- In Fig. 3, the entire composite structure I is shown as withdrawn and the parts stored, all

the rings 5, 5, being stacked in frontV of plate I3, and the strips 2, 2 lying within the hollow of the floor-stand or housing I0.

To prevent all but the outermost proper ring 5 from moving forward prematurely with the movement of the strips 2, 2, a retarding device has been provided. In Fig. 3, two bars or rollers I5, I5 are shown reposing, one above and the other below the tube I, immediately in front of the outermost ring 5 of those stacked in front of plate I3. These rollers are held in positions parallel to one another and pressed upon the tubular structure I by springs I6, I6, which are attached to extensions I'I, I1 (Fig. 5) of tie bars I8, I8. The end shafts of the rollers I5, I5 are held in bearings I9, I9 of the enlarged and squared ends of rods 20, 20.

The rods 20, 20 extend back through holes in a plate 2l secured to the housing IQ. Behind this anchor plate 2| the rods 2G, 2D are held under tension by compressive springs 22, 22 which press outwardly upon the rod-end collars 23, 23.

, The position of the rollers I5, I5 with respect to the foremost ring 5 of the stack is maintained by reason of the relative strengths of the two sets of springs 22, 22 and I6, II.` This relativity is such that the combined efforts of the springs retain the outermost ring 5 firmly in front of the stack until suiicient force is applied thereto by outward axial movementY of the tubular formation I to draw the outer ring 5 forward, and

which can take place only after the strips 2, 2 have been tightly gripped and held together by the outermost ring 5.

As each successive ring 5 is drawn forward from between the rollers I5, I5, by forcing them apart, the springs I6, I6 close in behind the departing ring 5 while the springs 22, 22 draw the rollers I5, I5 back against the succeeding ring 5 of the stack, holding it firmly in position until it, too, is drawn forward by reason of its embrace of the strips 2, 2.

All that is necessary to reverse the process and collapse the structure is to exert an axial push upon the outer end of the composite structure I,

whereupon the strips 2, 2 will be pushed backl axially into the interior of the housing I0. Each ring 5, in following the progress of the strips, will force its way between rollers I5, I5 and stop when it becomes blocked by the preceding ring 5 between it and plate I3. Due to the relative strengths of the springs I6, I6 and 22, '22, the rollers I5, I5 move down and forward in front of the last ring 5 to enter the stack and retain the collection in compact formation.

It will be observed that the housing I0 is provided with a swivel joint 24, which adds to the usefulness of the device by permitting the adjustable arm, composed of the structure I and head circle.

As shown in Fig. 2A, the inner, wider portions 2a, 2a of the strips 2, 2, may hang freely within the upright pedestal portion Ib of the housing I9, or the housing may be provided with suitable means for coiling the strips 2, 2 separately as disclosed in the parentl application previously noted.

Furthermore, instead of the composite arm I extending laterally from the pedestal or housing Ill, it may project vertically therefrom in axial alignment therewith, in the same general manner as disclosed in said parent application, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Furthermore, instead of the embracing bands passing completely around the assembled component concavo-convex strips which form the body of the structure, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the encircling o1' embracing bands 5a and 5b shown in Figs. 6 and '7, respectively, are discontinuous. As shown in Fig. 6, the band 5a embraces the full cross-section of the concavoconvex strip 2a, and is provided with end portions 25a, 25a, which embrace the marginal portions of the opposite concavo-convex strip 2b, leaving a gap 26a between said ends. The next successive band 5b, as shown in Fig. 7, embraces the full Width of the concave-convex strip 2b and its end portions 25h, 25h embrace the marginal portions of the strip 2b, with a gap 2Gb therebetween.

Preferably the discontinuous bands 5a and 5b alternate along the length of the extended portion of the structure. If desired, continuous bands 5 may be interspersed with the discontinuous bands 5a, 5b and vice versa.

I claim:

. 1. A collapsible and extensible structure including a housing structure, a longitudinally-tapering composite structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-tapering resilient strips normally of non-planar cross-section arranged in laterally-adjacent relation about the longitudinal axis of the structure and collectively forming the main body of the structure with a uniform crosssectional contour of constantly changing dimensions along the length of said body, each strip being imperforate and smooth edged throughout that portion thereof which is adapted to constitute a component of the main body `of the structure, a series of separate disconnected bands em,- bracing said body at spaced intervals along its length, said bands being respectively provided with central openings of similar contours differently dimensionedin accordance with the variations in the cross-sectional dimensions of said body at the places respectively embraced by said bands individually the progressively increasing cross-sectional area of the tapering main body as formed by said strips producing a wedging of said body within each of said separate bands successively and rigidly securing said strips together at each of said embracing intervals for Yrigidifying said structure, and means for jamming said bands into Vrigidly-embracingvcontact consecutively with said strips as said strips are progressively projected concurrently from said housing structure.

2. A collapsible and extensible structure in cluding a housing structure, a longitudinallytapering composite structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-tapering resilient strips normally of non-planar cross section arranged in laterally-adjacent relation about the longitudinal axis of the structure and collectively forming the main body of the structure with a uniform cross-sectional contour of constantly changing dimensions along `the length of said body, each strip being imperforate and smooth edged throughout that portion thereof which isk adapted to constitute a component of the main body of the structure, a series of separate disconnected bands embracing said body at spaced intervals along its length, said bands being respectively provided with central openings of similar contours diierently dimensioned in accordance with the variations in the cross-seotional dimensions of said body at the places respectively embraced by said bands individually the progressively increasing cross-sectional area of the tapering main body as formed by said strips producing a Wedging of said body within each of said separate bands successively and rigidly securing said strips together at each of said embracing intervals for rigidifying said structure, means for jamming said bands into rigidly-embracing contact consecutively with said strips as said strips are progressively projected concurrently from said housing structure, and means for disengaging said bands from said strips consecutively in reverse order as said strips are concurrently moved in an opposite direction into said housing.

3. A collapsible and extensible structure including a housing structure, a longitudinally-tapering composite structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-tapering resilient strips normally of non-planar cross-section arranged in laterally-adjacent relation about the longitudinal axis of the structure and collectively forming the main body of the structure with a uniform cross-sectional contour of constantly changing dimensions along the length of said body, each strip being imperforate and smooth edged throughout that portion thereof which is adapted to constitute a component of the main body of the structure, a series of separate disconnected bands embracing said body at spaced intervals along its length, said bands being respectively provided with central openings of similar contours differently dimensioned in accordance With the variations in the cross-sectional dimensions of said body at the places respectively embraced by said bands individually the progressively increasing cross-sectional area of the tapering main body as formed by said strips producing a wedging of said body Within each of said sepa rate bands successively and rigidly securing said strips together at each of said embracing intervals for rigidifying said structure, means for jamming said bands into rigidly-embracing contact consecutively with said strips as said strips are progressively projected concurrently from said housing structure, and means for disengaging said bands from said strips consecutively in reverse order as said strips are concurrently moved in an opposite direction into said housing, said housing comprising a stationary hollow base portion for receiving said strips as said composite structure is collapsed. Y

4. A collapsible and extensible structure including a housing structure, a longitudinally-tapering composite structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-tapering resilient strips nor mally of non-planar cross-section arranged in laterally-adjacent relation about the longitudinal axis of the structure and collectively forming the main body of the structurel with a uniform cross-sectional contour of constantly changing dimensions along the length of said body, each strip being imperforate and smooth edged throughout that portion thereof which is adapted to constitute a component of the main body of the structure, a series of Separate bands embracing said body at spaced intervals along its length, said bands being respectively provided with central openings of similar contours diiferently dimensioned in accordance With the variations in the cross-sectional dimensions of said body at the places respectively embraced by said bands individually, means for jamming said bands into rigidly-embracing contact consecutively with said strips as said strips are progressively projected concurrently from said hous' ing structure, means for 'disengaging said bands from said strips consecutively in reverse order as said steps are concurrently moved inan opposite direction into said housing, said housing comprising a stationary hollow base portion for receiving said strips as said composite structure is collapsed, and a head portion pivotally mounted on said base portion and supporting said jamming and disengaging means.

HIRAM A. FARRAND. 

